Moose Poop from the Sky: Fundraising the Alaska Way

In most places, fundraising means galas, auctions, or maybe a golf tournament. But in Alaska, when the Rotary Clubs of Anchorage South and Anchorage Hillside get serious about raising money, they call in the helicopter—and the moose.

For over three decades, Moose Marble Madness has captured the spirit of the Last Frontier with a fundraiser that’s bold, bizarre, and brilliantly effective. The premise? Take 3,000 dried, wrapped, and numbered moose droppings—yes, actual moose poop—load them into a helicopter, and drop them from 300 feet above a brewery parking lot onto a giant bullseye. Whichever moose “marble” lands closest to the center wins $5,000.

Each marble is tied to a $10 raffle ticket, and only 3,000 tickets are sold. That simple formula—oddly thrilling and distinctly Alaskan—has turned Moose Marble Madness into one of the state’s most beloved fundraising traditions. It may sound wild (because it is), but the purpose behind it is serious and deeply rooted in community service.

The event is more than a quirky local attraction—it’s a powerful expression of how Rotarians serve. The Anchorage Hillside and Anchorage South Rotary Clubs, the driving forces behind Moose Marble Madness, are made up of people who care deeply about the communities where they live and work. These clubs represent a long-standing Rotary tradition of turning service into action and commitment into change. They’re not just fundraising for fun; they’re rallying resources to uplift and support their neighbors.

All proceeds go to local causes that make a real difference in the lives of Anchorage families. Funds raised support projects like The Children’s Lunchbox, a vital program that addresses food insecurity, and the 3rd Grade Dictionary Project, which puts personal dictionaries into the hands of young learners to promote literacy and education.

A Fundraiser Like No Other

The event itself is equal parts joyful chaos and purposeful giving. There’s pizza, beer, a silent online auction, a live in-person auction—and of course, the crowd-pleasing moment when the helicopter takes flight overhead and begins hovering over the parking lot’s target. Thousands of moose marbles tumble from the sky as onlookers cheer, laugh, and hope their number hits the mark. It’s messy. It’s hilarious. It’s unforgettable.

The evening is emceed by Dan Newman, a beloved auctioneer who brings energy, humor, and heart to the proceedings. As Dan jokingly puts it,

This is the ‘crappiest fundraiser' I work, and about as Alaskan as it gets.

And he’s not wrong. Nowhere else do helicopters, moose nuggets, and philanthropy come together in such harmony.

But beyond the spectacle, what makes Moose Marble Madness so successful is its authenticity. It’s powered by local people who care. Volunteers donate their time. Businesses contribute auction items. Neighbors show up year after year, knowing that every dollar goes right back into the community.

Service Above Self, With a Sense of Humor

That’s the Rotary way—mixing dedication with creativity to solve local challenges. Moose Marble Madness might get attention for its quirky premise, but it keeps going strong because of what it represents: real action, real generosity, and real results for those who need them most.
It’s proof that fundraising doesn’t have to be fancy or formal. It just has to be sincere—and maybe a little fearless. When you combine laughter, service, and 3,000 pieces of airborne moose poop, you get more than a great event. You get a community united in purpose.

The Children’s Lunchbox: More Than a Meal

Anchorage is a city of resilience, but like many communities, it still faces serious challenges—especially when it comes to hunger. The Children’s Lunchbox, an initiative of Bean’s Café, has grown over the years to become a cornerstone of nutritional support for vulnerable youth and families throughout the city.

Originally focused on child nutrition, The Children’s Lunchbox has expanded its mission to serve entire families. Through both ready-to-eat meals and pantry box programs, they ensure that no child or parent goes without something nourishing on the table. Each pantry box includes a breakfast, lunch, or dinner that feeds a family of four—and multiple boxes are distributed to ensure full support.

Meals are delivered to a wide range of partner sites across Anchorage, including schools, transitional housing centers, and youth-focused programs. From classroom to community center, The Children’s Lunchbox reaches deep into neighborhoods with one clear goal: to provide dependable nutrition where and when it’s needed most. And through Moose Marble Madness, the Anchorage Rotary Clubs help make that possible.

---

Special thanks to Mekenzie Pettitt, Benefit Auctions Manager, and Dan Newman, Founder/CEO and lifelong Alaskan at Alaska Premier Auctions & Appraisals. Their incredibly engaging techniques make appeals that motivate donors to give big—and give often.

“We help your donors feel the power and urgency of generosity. Making the ask count is a skill—and we’ve mastered it.”

Follow Alaska Premier Auctions on Facebook and Instagram to see more of their impactful event work and behind-the-scenes moments.
A heartfelt thank-you to the dedicated team of Rotarians from Anchorage Hillside/Russian Jack and Anchorage South Rotary.